Putting together a theatrical production is tough work, and when all of those involved are students, the task becomes even more complicated.
“The Big Funk,” opening Tuesday, is a play completely produced and directed by University undergraduates.
The play was written by John Patrick Shanley in 1991 and discusses breaking down societal walls that people put up around themselves and how people deal with others.
Laird Wilson, cast member and a theater senior, said the theatrical knowledge base of the students involved really shows in the finished product.
“A lot of different people know a lot of different things,” Wilson said. “And we were able to put it all together and produce a good product.”
Each semester two undergraduate plays are performed by the theater department, and Wilson said the productions he has been apart of have been outstanding.
Candice Rodgers, stage manager and a theater senior, said the experience of working with peers in a real-life setting is not only fun but also a good learning experience.
“You learn everything yourself without people telling you what to do and how to do it,” Rodgers said.
Reid Collums, cast member and theater senior, agreed that the environment of the production is a great learning tool.
“A production like this is a great learning tool because we can see what is going on, and if anything is wrong we know how to fix it,” Collums said.
Rodgers said the cast was assembled in May and has been rehearsing since the second day of class this semester.
And because not everyone can indulge full-time hours into the performance, the cast and staff sometimes find themselves putting in long hours to get it together.
Wilson said it is incredibly hard to balance school and the play. He said each student involved puts in at least five hours a day toward the production and most do not get home until 11 p.m. each night.
Michael Indest, director of “The Big Funk” and a theater junior, said directing an all-undergraduate play is in some ways easier than plays featuring professionals.
“You always know where [the cast and crew] are going to be – on campus,” Indest said.